Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Deputy Sheriff Greg Taylor looks at items found in the car of a suspect in a string of burglaries.

Sheriff's Dept. makes arrest in a string of local burglaries

By Michelle Alaimo

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department arrested a 33-year-old man in connection with a string of burglaries in the Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose and Milpitas areas.

The suspect, Robert Lewis Gaudinier, was arrested on Glen Brae Drive in Saratoga at 2:45 a.m. on June 26, after setting off an alarm in a house police suspect he might have tried to burglarize last fall, according to Deputy Sheriff Joe Waldherr, one of the arresting officers.

Gaudinier, from Millbrae but believed to be a transient, was found reclining in the front seat of a black Nissan ZX that had been reported stolen from Milpitas. Deputies said the suspect had a day planner full of stolen checks and ATM and credit cards.

Gaudinier, on parole for a previous auto-theft conviction, was charged with possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle and giving false identification. The suspect is being held without bail on a parole hold pending a June 30 arraignment.

Waldherr said Gaudinier is suspected in a string of burglaries in which the burglar found windows open and gained access to homes simply by removing the screens. The burglar in those cases, in addition to taking checks, cash and credit cards, also stole cellular phones, compact disk players, jewelry and computer items.

Some of the burglaries occurred while the victims were home. The burglar would come in through an unlocked door or window, search for a purse, take the contents of the wallet and then leave the same way he came in.

"The guy does it more for the excitement," Waldherr said. "Many times he would take only part of the checkbook or one book of checks so the victims would think they misplaced them."

By matching items found in the car with police reports, police were able to link Gaudinier with nine burglaries.

Burglaries of this sort have become an increasing problem in Saratoga, according to Deputy Greg Taylor, the other arresting officer. "Word has got out that Saratoga doesn't lock its doors, and it's an easy mark."

The Sheriff's Department stresses that locking doors and windows is an important deterrent to this type of crime. Items such as laptop computers and cellular phones should not be left in an unoccupied car. Law enforcement officials also stress the importance of parking cars in lighted areas and using sensor lights and/or an alarm system in homes.

The Sheriff's Department is asking anyone with information that may relate to this case to call Det. Luther Pugh or Det. Dave Notari at 867-9715.

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